SBC to welcome Cambridge University researchers

Innovative way of working for UK life sciences

Stevenage, UK, June 18 2012 - Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC), the UK’s first open innovation bioscience campus, is pleased to announce that it will be the location of a centre of innovation for Cambridge University. Attracted by the collaborative environment being developed by SBC, its  stakeholders, and advantages such as proximity to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the academic institution is keen to work with diverse partners to generate new medicines.

SBC and its current stakeholders - GSK, the Wellcome Trust, the Technology Strategy Board, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - believe that the establishment of a world-class academic presence provides a significant validation of the approach they are developing for sector rejuvenation. This innovative way of working with the University will serve as a catalyst for similar relationships with other leading universities, and strengthen its links to the Cambridge biocluster, SBC believes.

Dr Allan Baxter, Chairman of Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, said, 'We are delighted that Cambridge University will base this exciting new initiative at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst. It is the first step in realising the vision of our stakeholders - to create a dynamic environment which accelerates the translation of new ideas into valuable medicines and medical technologies, and we will continue to bring in other academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.’

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge said, 'This is a highly innovative way to develop publicly funded scientific research to create new medicines to treat disease, bringing together partners with shared goals and capitalising on what each does best. Cambridge is constantly searching for new and more effective ways to get its research out into the world where it can make a difference; working with our many partners, including companies such as GSK.'